After simulating modifications hundreds of times within the "Star Blueprint," Gu Ya finally remade the consciousness manifestation device into a more portable form. It consisted of only a head-mounted band and a palm-sized instrument that fit Gu Ya's hand. When Gu Ya needed to enter someone's consciousness, he simply had to place the head-mounted band on the person's head while holding the instrument.
Things that exist in reality also appear in the system mall. Since Gu Ya personally modified it, it was completely free in the system mall; he could take as many as he wanted. With this item, Gu Ya could set off for Yadaya with peace of mind.
Before leaving, he specifically briefed Zeng Lang on a few matters concerning the anti-cloning plan. Since he would be dealing with higher authorities, thorough preparation and unique insights were crucial. He left the rest to Zeng Lang's discretion. Zeng Lang had a unique and effective approach to managing the company, so Gu Ya tried not to interfere.
As for Liu Feng, Gu Ya specifically left behind the mecha action codes for several of his signature techniques, instructing him to practice them daily, using his private mecha, and in a place where no one else would see. Liu Feng initially wanted to accompany Gu Ya but was politely declined.
"What would you do there? Just slow me down? Practice well, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to fight together in the future." Those words were enough to keep Liu Feng from following.
After making arrangements for both of them, Gu Ya returned home. The sisters Youyou and Youran were inseparable, as close as one person. Youyou's mature demeanor was truly adorable, always letting Youran, who was more mature than her, have her way, which made Youran feel a little embarrassed. With them keeping each other company, Gu Ya could finally relax.
Leaving home, Gu Ya made one last stop at the Hecheng Society.
"Little adventurer, you're leaving today," Ling Ling asked with a smile.
Gu Ya gave a soft "Mm," and said, "Sister, while I'm gone, I'll leave the household matters to you."
"As if you ever managed anything at home," Ling Ling said without reservation.
Gu Ya smiled gently and turned to leave.
"Gu Ya!" Ling Ling stood up and walked over to Gu Ya.
"Kid, you're only 18 and already doing things that even adults wouldn't dare to." As Ling Ling spoke, she suddenly choked up and gently hugged Gu Ya.
"Come back soon, everyone at home is waiting for you." Ling Ling released Gu Ya and looked him up and down. "You've grown so tall! Must be 175 now, grown a lot recently. Hurry up and reach 1.8 meters, leave good genes for our descendants."
Gu Ya smiled faintly. "Sister..."
"Alright, hurry up and go, don't disturb my work! Come back safe and sound, or I won't spare you if you get even a scratch," Ling Ling said with a tearful smile.
Gu Ya stood straighter with a smile and said, "I promise to come back safe and sound!"
Leaving the Hecheng Society, Gu Ya piloted his mecha motorcycle towards the city's landing pad, a dedicated area for mecha takeoffs and landings.
Summoning Youyin, with its aura surging, he flew out of Wuhe City and headed south towards the Yadaya region. The Wuhe City behind him grew smaller and smaller, eventually becoming a mere dot. Only then did Gu Ya shift his gaze forward. The vast, flat expanse was a seamless blend of desert yellow and sky blue. Soon, a streak of sea blue emerged beneath the sky blue. Gradually, the sea blue rose higher, and the sea level seemed to ascend. The sea lay directly ahead.
"Once we cross the sea, we'll reach the Yadaya region."
"Ye Ying, I'm going to experience what you experienced."
"Gu Ya—!"
A shout came from behind him. Gu Ya immediately felt unhappy. That Taona was chasing after him again, an unwelcome shadow. Youyin stopped abruptly in mid-air and reversed its course. Drawing its dual beam swords, it unleashed a "Flash Strike." Taona's chest armor instantly sported a deep crack.
"If you follow me again, I'll disable your mecha," Gu Ya said coldly.
Taona pouted playfully. "No! Sister specially came to accompany you, take me along!"
Gu Ya sighed. "Taona, I'll find a suitable candidate for you. You'll have an easier time conquering them."
"Who? But the report has already been submitted, it's not easy to change," Taona asked.
Gu Ya chuckled. "As long as it's an electronic record, modifying it is as easy as drinking water."
"Then tell me, I'll consider it," Taona said.
Gu Ya thought back through all the male classmates, considering their technical skills, whether they had girlfriends, and their character. There were two such individuals. "Wang Can or Chen Xingke, both are good. Especially Chen Xingke, pay attention to him."
"Instead of wasting your time with me, find another target. You can complete your mission, and I won't have to constantly wish to kill you." With that, Gu Ya controlled Youyin and charged south again.
He crossed the beach and flew towards the sea. The shortest direct distance to the Yadaya region was across the sea. If he traveled by land, he would have to detour to the southwest. The Yadaya region was narrow from north to south and long from east to west. On the map, its eastern part protruded to form a peninsula, bordering the sea south of Xianxia. Since Yadaya was conquered, this entire sea area belonged to Xianxia and was designated as part of the Louhai War Zone. Last time, Gu Ya and Ye Ying had entered northeastern Yadaya directly from the Louhai War Zone.
The war had just ended not long ago, and Gu Ya could still see one or two salvage ships collecting mecha debris on the sea surface. Since Gu Ya's Youyin had participated in the battle, there was a record of Youyin in the Louhai War Zone system. As Gu Ya flew over those ships, their electronic flagpoles continuously waved colorful flags, signaling "Hello, Hero."
"Hero..." Gu Ya murmured to himself. He had joined the war because of Ye Ying, and compared to those warriors who willingly served their country, he didn't consider himself a hero. Gu Ya smoothly controlled his mecha and performed a series of maneuvers, signifying "You are the heroes." Immediately after, Youyin accelerated and flew rapidly towards the Yadaya region.
They had departed around nine in the morning. By the time Gu Ya entered the Yadaya border, it was already two in the afternoon. Without pausing, he flew directly to the cave. The remains of the giant mecha snake were still parked outside the cave, lined up against the mountain wall, almost invisible to the casual observer.
"It seems no one has been here recently." Gu Ya wasted no more time and flew directly towards southern Yadaya. "Let's start with that old woman." Last time, it was from that old woman that Gu Ya learned about Ye Ying's situation and obtained five portraits.
Around four in the afternoon, Gu Ya arrived at the first camp. This was where those cannibalistic children had stayed. Currently, the camp was silent and desolate. The searchlight on the watchtower had fallen to the ground. Gu Ya dismounted his mecha, activated his exoskeleton armor, and walked directly to the house where the five children lived. Taking a few deep breaths and preparing himself mentally, Gu Ya pulled open the door.
A foul odor rushed out. The interior was pitch-black, with not a single ray of light visible. No one was inside, and it was spotlessly clean, as if it had been tidied up. "It seems those children have already left."
As Gu Ya walked out of the house and looked towards the other side of the camp, he saw several small child carcasses nailed to the wall, dried and shriveled into skeletons. "Sigh," Gu Ya sighed. In the Yadaya region, countless people died every day; those who survived were truly blessed by fate. This camp was useless, so Gu Ya didn't linger and flew directly to the second camp.
Twenty minutes later, he was above the camp. The colossal Youyin descended like a deity upon the camp, but no one came out to "greet" him. The camp was empty. Both watchtowers had collapsed, and the camp buildings had been reduced to ruins, their roofs blown off, the interiors covered by bricks and earth. Tattered tent fabric fluttered on flagpoles, dancing in the wind, and a faint stench of decay permeated the camp. This place was even more desolate than the first camp, seemingly having endured a fierce battle. In the southeast corner of the camp, a large pile of blackened objects had formed a small mound. Without a close look, it was clear that it was a mountain of corpses.
"They're all dead..." Gu Ya murmured to himself. "This place has no more value." An illuminated object on the ground caught Gu Ya's attention. He controlled the mecha to pick it up, holding it in its mechanical palm and bringing it closer to the optical sensors. The system's analysis indicated that it was a bounty issuing instrument, an obsolete model still in use in the Yadaya region.
"With this, it might be more convenient." Gu Ya looked down for the corresponding product in the system mall; it was indeed available for free. He quickly purchased it. "Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining a rare item, the most advanced bounty issuing device, which supports traceless issuing, automatic remittance, and guarantees the host's information security."
"Damn it, I can't buy something so old." Gu Ya casually opened the bounty issuing device. It was filled with bounty missions from Xianxia. "It seems the information channels are different; does the advanced device not receive the old channels?"
"In the end, I have to rely on myself!" Gu Ya exited the cockpit and retrieved the old bounty issuing device. After some repairs, it was finally usable. Pressing the ancient plastic startup button, the green holographic screen displayed hundreds of bounty missions, all from the Yadaya region.
"Just as I expected. Advanced technology isn't applicable here." Based on the principles and signal bands of the old bounty issuing device, after further modifications, Gu Ya finally integrated his bounty issuing device into the Yadaya region's network.
"Next, let's try issuing a mission."